Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Over at rgz we are getting ready to celebrate Jennifer Donnelly's A Northern Light!

A few postergirlz and rgz divas had a little chat about the wonderful work. Here's an excerpt for you before you shoot over and read the full talk at Little Willow's slayground.

Roundtable for A Northern Light

In 1906, a young woman named Grace Brown lost her life in the Adirondacks. Nearly a hundred years later, Jennifer Donnelly wrote a novel entitled A Northern Light, the story of a girl named Mattie Gokey who was sixteen years old in 1906. Though Mattie and her family are fictitious, their plight is not. As the oldest daughter in the family, Mattie acquired a lot of responsibilities when her mother passed away and her older brother left. When Mattie becomes employed by a lodge on Big Moose Lake, Grace Brown's murder becomes a subplot, but it is never the main focus of the book. This is Mattie's story from start to finish - and what a story it is!

Lorie Ann: I was amazed at the plot arrangement and beautiful literary qualities of the work. I knew this would gain notice and awards, and I'm so pleased it did! When we began rgz, I wanted A Northern Light to be featured.

Holly: I loved how every thread contributed toward Mattie's final decision – so beautifully, intricately drawn – and Jennifer shows us the light alongside the dark. Nothing is as it seems. Secrets abound. People have been telling me for a long time to read it, and I'm glad I finally did!

Miss Erin: Same here, Holly - I'd had several people rave about it to me, so at last I picked it up. I thought it was beautifully done, pretty much perfectly written, and a book I can definitely see myself reading multiple times.

HipWriterMama: I loved this book. Mattie reminded me of a gentler and more uncertain Jo March. I liked how Mattie was able to see and "accept" the flaws of her family and friends and want more for them. And, for herself. Beautifully written book with excellent use of plot and supporting characters to show Mattie's growth.

Melissa: The idea of an epic crime as the dark back story for Mattie's coming of age moments really intrigued me from page one.

Shelf Elf: This is the sort of book that made me sigh happily at the end. It felt old-fashioned to me, in a totally satisfying way. It already reads like a classic story.

It certainly does! I'm looking forward to an awesome month with Jennifer. See you at the forum!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Thanks to Em, I just retook the Myers Briggs Personality Test on the MyType Personality Application on Facebook. Eek! I've changed! I'm like Mr. Spock!

Has this happened to anyone else? I used to be an INTJ and now am testing as the ISTJ. I am the Duty Fulfiller. Ha! Sound right, my rgz team? :~)

"Serious and quiet, interested in security and peaceful living. Extremely thorough, responsible, and dependable. Well-developed powers of concentration. Usually interested in supporting and promoting traditions and establishments. Well-organized and hard working, they work steadily towards identified goals. They can usually accomplish any task once they have set their mind to it."

So be warned by my strengths and weaknesses. (I'm 100% judging. Who is ever 100% anything? Stand back!)

ISTJ Strengths

● Honor their commitments

● Take their relationship roles very seriously

● Usually able to communicate what's on their minds with precision

● Good listeners

● Extremely good (albeit conservative) with money

● Able to take constructive criticism well

● Able to tolerate conflict situations without emotional upheaval

● Able to dole out punishment or criticism when called for

ISTJ Weaknesses

● Tendency to believe that they're always right

● Tendency to get involved in "win-lose" conversations

● Not naturally in-tune with what others are feeling

● Their value for structure may seem rigid to others

● Not likely to give enough praise or affirmation to their loved ones

Here are careers for me:

Possible Career Paths for the ISTJ:

Business Executives, Administrators and Managers

Accountants and Financial Officers

Police and Detectives

Judges

Lawyers

Medical Doctors / Dentists

Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts, and Computer Specialists

Military Leaders

So, there you go. Turns out one of my bestie friends is my adviser, and I'm hers. My daughter's boyfriend is my enigma. Yep. My older daughter is my neighbor and my younger is my counterpart. Off to get my hubbers to take the test. What are you? Regardless, "Live long and prosper."

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

CO-FOUNDER OF READERGIRLZ AND READERTOTZ CELEBRATES A NEW BOARD BOOK: HUG, HUG!

Author/illustrator Lorie Ann Grover's new board book for babies and toddlers embodies the love of a hug.

December 16, 2008 (Seattle, Wash.) – readergirlz and readertotz co-founder and author/illustrator Lorie Ann Grover's new board book Hug Hug! has just been released from Little Simon. Endearingly illustrated by Rebecca Malone, the work beautifully expresses love from the largest animals to the smallest bug.

Hugs with our noses. (elephants) Hugs in red roses. (ladybugs)

Hugs round the neck. (giraffes) Hugs with a peck. (chickens)

"I loved the thought that we all snuggle and hug each other," says Grover. "It was exemplified as I watched Sumner High School band students greeting each other, and swallows were nesting in the school vents. Pairing a rhyme with each spread was the perfect format to mimic a hug and share this concept with parents and their babies."

Hug Hug! is a sturdy board book which introduces a love of reading to preschoolers and reinforces the comfort of a hug.

About readergirlz, readertotz, Lorie Ann Grover, and Rebecca Malone

readergirlz is the foremost online book community for teen girls, led by six critically acclaimed YA authors. The site is the recipient of a 2007 James Patterson PageTurner Award and the Association for Library Services to Children, ALA, Great Web Sites Award. www.readergirlz.com

readertotz is a blog which showcases infant-toddler books as an important addition to children's literature. http://readertotz.blogspot.com

Friday, December 12, 2008

I thought for Poetry Friday this week, I'd write a poem inspired from a photo. I pulled this one from my own pics. If you look very closely, you'll see the deer clustered just left of center in front of a home in Winthrop, Washington. What a beautiful night!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

And my daughter and I were amazed at the visual parallels between it and Sweeney Todd.

Of course both are Tim Burton's visions, but how delightful to see repeated imagery: the barber/stylist chair, blood on the blades, an upper room with a gaping hole ringed by broken glass. This is beyond the resurfacing color palette, mood, makeup, and wardrobe which can be tracked in most of Tim's films. (And Johnny Depp. :~)

As artists we return to symbols and visuals that ring true to us. We retell our stories, but they continue to carry our voice and worldview. This is strangely comforting for both the artist and the viewer.

As a writer, I return to words such as: hugs, hands, heat, and hope. I need to think about what visuals resurface. Wise, older round ladies tend to make appearances, I know. Hmm. Anyone care to share your words or symbols or objects that reappear?

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

I just finished Total Constant Order by Crissa-Jean Chappell. What a strong book she has contributed to YA literature. Pick up this work and enter the mind of Fin who is experiencing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD.

Following the divorce of her parents, Fin's mind twirls in the world of numbers as she reaches for control. From visiting a counselor, to dealing with Paxil and the side effects, Fin negotiates her situation. Thayer, working through his own ADD and drug habit, comes carefully and patiently alongside Fin. The two help each other find their own answers to functioning in a world that can't be controlled.

I was completely absorbed by Fin's thought process. I found the novel's pacing almost reflected the staccato beat of OCD. Set in my own stomping ground of Miami, Florida, the setting becomes a major character reflecting Fin's growth. From bufo frogs to manitees, it felt like hot, humid home to me.

I'm so pleased this literary work has brought to light the experience of someone living with OCD. It has given me an understanding and compassion. Thank you, Crissa!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

I was just reading Mitali Perkin's blog full of excitement for great reviews and the sad news of books going out of print. I join in her joy and then her sadness as I, too, have had works go out of print. I thought I'd share my thoughts on this facet of the publishing life.

First of all, out of print today is so different than yesterday. There's Print on Demand now, which keeps works available in paperback. There are e-books to continue an outreach. Sure, it's not the same as the brand new print run in hardback, but it's a consolation that authors in the past didn't have.

Generally speaking, those of us who are published have had the privilege of sharing our thoughts with thousands. Not everyone gets the chance to speak to such a vast audience. Not everyone has a chance to contribute on such a scale. Even if the book is small and quiet, there was a hearing far beyond one person speaking to another.

Each published book has a lifespan to speak and reach others. Life spans have natural ends. Let's do give a standing ovation to libraries that extend our whispers beyond print run dates.

In closing, let's release our very best into the world. Make the words matter greatly for whatever life they might experience and the lives they may touch. Then finally, lets stand next to each other as the works quiet, reminding each other, "Well done, writer. Well done."

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Just a quick note to thank everyone for the amazing reception for readertotz. It's been an awesome launch. From editors and agents, to librarians, moms, bloggers and publishers, the support has been so encouraging.

Special thanks to Ron Hogan for his post at GalleyCat,Little Willow for her constant help, and the rgz team of awesome. And thanks to my brother Dale for the logo!

Joan Holub and I now eagerly look forward to developing the site. Who knows? Maybe one day there will be an award for infant-toddler books. And we'll be grinning. Oh, we will!

Celebrated author/illustrators Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub launch readertotz in an effort to recognize the infant-toddler book as a vital addition to children's literature.

December 2, 2008 (Seattle, Wash.) – readergirlz co-founder and author/illustrator Lorie Ann Grover and author/illustrator Joan Holub have just launched readertotz (http://readertotz.blogspot.com/), a unique board book blog that aims to raise awareness of the infant-toddler book as a significant format of children's literature.

While picture books, books for beginning readers, middle-grade novels and young-adult literature have been recognized with major awards such as the Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal, the Newbery, the Printz and the National Book Award, it is rare to find such esteem given to infant-toddler books—despite their importance in instilling a life-long love of books and reading in the youngest readers.

"Board books are certainly overlooked and misunderstood, and they serve such an important purpose in introducing babies and toddlers to books," said Rotem Moscovich, Associate Editor, Scholastic. "What they are, how they work (and taste). The board makes it possible for them to do it themselves, and also to feel comfortable with books."

Taking the lead from readergirlz, which boasts more than 8,000 members, readertotz will showcase high-quality literature. Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub will feature weekly blog posts that highlight the best contributions in the infant-toddler book arena and recommend monthly community service projects appropriate for families with young children to enjoy. Also included each month: an age-appropriate playlist and a recommended book for the older sibling.

"readertotz is our effort to raise the bar in board and novelty book literature," says Lorie Ann Grover. "We're challenging our colleagues to write great books for the youngest readers and encouraging the industry to publish those works. Eventually, we hope to work with the American Library Association to establish an award for infant-toddler books that's equivalent to the Caldecott and Theodor Geisel Award."

Monday, December 1, 2008

Over at readergirlz we are reading Meg Cabot's HOW TO BE POPULAR this month.

Little Willow asked for the team's thoughts on popularity and has posted them collectively at her site. So, with the song from Wicked running through my head,

here are my thoughts:

I'm thinking middle school is when popularity is defined most narrowly. If you can grind through it, you will have the rest of your life to find your peeps. That's really the bottom line: find people that matter to you, those you can relate to.

If you find yourself in the "popular" group, know you have a much bigger responsibility. Your influence is wider and people are watching. Don't lose yourself to maintain your position. If you are tempted to do so, maybe you haven't found your peeps after all.

Once you find a group that has meaning to you, foster your friendships. Who cares if everyone knows or watches? You've found a place to nourish others and be nourished. That's what matters.

It's good to remember that whatever popularity is gained, there's always a bigger group out there that never recognizes it. Actors, statesmen, even countries pass from popularity and are forgotten. So, find your small corner of the world, and be a good friend. Matter to your people.

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I do make appearances. Feel free to ask about:1. #hitwithgratitudc2. Fact to Fiction:a Poetry/Collage Workshop.I'm happy to chat with your class or book club online.

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